Valve regulating apparatus



4 sheets-sheet 1 IMI/limon: RUSSELL A. HETZER BY W ATTORNEYS UCL 7, 1941- R. A. HETzER VALVE REGULATING' APPARATUS Filed Nov. 19, 1958 Oct. 7, 1941. Y R A HETZER 'l 2,258.36()

VALVE REGULATING 'APPARATUS Filed Nov. 19, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 we,k

INVENTOR 5X6 F |G.5 5 RUSSELL A. HETZER E* fw ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 7,1941V vALvE assomme. ArrAaA'rUs Russell A. Hetler, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The American Laundry Machinery Co Norwood, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application November 19, 1938, Serial No. 241,480

8 Claims.

My invention relates tol apparatus for controlling the tlow and tor regulating the physical properties of iluid delivered from a plurality of sources. More particularly, it relates to improved apparatus ior controlling the supply and regulating the temperature of hot and cold liquids to be mixed and delivered to a .common conduit or chamber, including means for maintainmay be opened approximately 25% and the cold Water valve approximately '75%. In such case 100% ilow of water may be delivered at the desired temperature. However, ii the pressure or temperature of either source varies, upsetting .the ratio of hot and cold water, the i'lnal temperature of the mixture is different from that desired and expected.

It is the purpose oi my invention to provide improved apparatus by means oi which the physical properties of a fluid mixture delivered from a plurality o! sources oi supply differing in kind, may be regulated by proportionate regulation of the quantities `o! the respective kinds. While for purposes oi illustration, the apparatus will be described in connection with the temperature regulation of a water mixture, I do no t desire to be so limited, since the apparatus may be employed for other purposes, such as for controlling the strength of a brine solution formed by mix-V ing a saturated brine solution and water, or for the operation oi dempers in hot orcold `air supply lines leading to a drying chamber, or for blending fluids having diiicrent specic gravities, viscosities, or other physical properties.

ung on the 'delivery of liquid provide improved apparatus having associated valve means arranged to` control the ilow of fluid from a plurality of sources of supply to a common chamber or conduit where the physicallproperties of the delivered fluid may be that or either source alone,y or of any desired mixture from both sources.

Another 'object of my invention is to provide improved apparatus. having valve means so arranged that the flow of water from hot and cold sources to a mixing chamber or conduit may be desirably controlled so that either hot or cold 'water alone or any desired mixture of the two may -be delivered and be maintained at any del sired temperature, irrespective of variations in the temperature or pressure of eitherlsource oi supply. A further object of my invention is to provide improved apparatus for operating a self-closing valve in such a manner that it maybe gradually opened and gradually closed.

A further object o! my invention is to provide improved apparatus having valve means associated therewith in. such a manner that the ilow of ilui'cl from a plurality oi' sources of supply to a mixing conduit or chamber may be Vautomatically regulated in combination with improved means for manually operating the valve means when desired. v

vA. further object of my invention is to provide improved apparatus for controlling and regulating the delivery oi a liquid to a container at a predetermined temperature until the surface oi the liquid reaches the desired level and for shutat the desired level, including means for supplying a heating medium, as required, to maintain the liquid in the container at the desired temperature.

My invention will be better understood by reim erence to the accompanying drawings, in which My improved apparatus also uses the same valve devices both for permitting both sources oi iiuid supply to close and for opening -one source while the other is maintained closed, or for proportionally lopening both sources, and the operating parts are arranged in such a manner that the apparatus may be either manually or automatically operated.

It is therefore ,an object of my invention to Fig. 1 is a iront elevation illustrating one form oi my improved apparatus associated with a container,'parts or the apparatus being shown inl section and the containerA being shown broken away;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional l and Fig. 3; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view on the line 3-3 view on the line '2v-2,

olf-Fig. 1;

` Fig. 4 is a .view similar to Fig. 1, the liquid level control means being omitted, the conduit leading to the container beingbroken away.. and the valve-operating device being shown in posisition to maintain open the valve controlling one lfluid supply source, the valve controlling the other fluid supply source being closed;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. i, showing the valve-operating device in position to maintain vice -in a position to maintain open the valve controlling one fluid supply source, the valve con- -trolling the other source being closed;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 in which the operating device is in position to reverse the open and closed positions of the valves as compared with Fig. 7; and Fig. 9 is an elevational view of a container havingdelivery and drain pipes, showing my improved apparatus for delivering a liquid mixture to the container at a predetermined temperature,

including means for maintaining the liquid at the desired temperature, some of the valve parts being shown in section and parts of the container being broken away to show internal structure.

While my improved apparatus may be utilized for controlling-and regulating the delivery of fluid oi any type from a plurality of sources ofy supply for any desired purpose, such as for use in washers, cleaning machineashower baths or the like, it is shown in the drawings associated with valves, one of which controls the flow of iluid from a cold water source and the other from a hot water source. As illustrated, i designates a cold water pipe controlled by any suitable selfclosing valve, such as a. piston valve, mounted in casing 2, which pipe communicates with a casing 3 having a chamber which communicates with` a'delivery pipe 4, and 5 designates a hot water pipe controlled by a self-closing Ivalve.

such as a piston valve, arranged in casing 3 which also communicates with the casing 3. As

valve plug (not shown), the upper portions of handles 9 and III being each provided with a ratchet I4 to coact with a pawl I6 to hold the arm in adjusted position when the apparatus is manually operated.

Means are provided, however, to render pawls il inoperative when the surface of the liquid in container 'I reaches the desired level. For this purpose a weight I8 is atilxed to a suitably supported shaft I9, Vand has an arm 2U which is bifurcated to receive a lateral extensionl 2|, of a tube 24, the lateral extension being ailixed to -the arm 20- by removable means, such as a pin 25. The weight of tube 24 is sufilcient to overcomev weight I8 and maintain it in the position shown in Fig. 3.

Telescopically' arranged within the tube 24 is a rod 23 having a oat 21, at one end, and being provided with a rack 28 which projects through a slot in tube 24 and which has an outwardly projecting lug 29 at its upper end which is adapted to engage a block 30 secured to tube 24.

The block 30 is adjustably Secured to tube 24 inl any desired manner, such as by means of a set screw 3|, and during operation of the apparatus is `set at a point determined by the amount of liquid desired in container 1. The float 21 extends. into a float chamber 32 which is in communication with the liquid in container 'I, and when the container 1 is empty or the surface of the liquid in the container "I is low, the lug 29 is spaced from the block 39 as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Y When either or both of the valves are opened, however, and the liquid rises in container 'l and in iioat chamber 32 to the desired level, lug 29 engages block 30 lifting tube 24, which permits shaft I9 to rotate in the clockwise direction, Fig. 3, under the inuence of weight I, As shaft I9 rotates, cams 33 aixed i9. It will be understood, however, that during illustrated, the delivery pipe 4 communicates with a container I having a drain pipe 9 provided with valve 3a which is normally maintained in open position, but may be closed by moving switch 39 to engage terminal 31 or Iiia. 'I'he structure as thus described, is-

. well known in the art and serves merely as an example to illustrate the application of my improved apparatus. For instance, by slightly modifying the rotary switch the valve 3a 'may be maintained in normally closed position and opened by the operation of the switch.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive and 9, of the drawings, the valves may be operated either manually or automatically, and while it is the principal purpose of my invention to provide means for 'automatically regulating the physical properties of a fluid delivered to -a conduit or chamber from a plurality of sources of supply, it is frequently desirable to secure manual operation or control, although the structure is designed primarily for automatic control.

For manually operating the valves a pair of I handles 9 and I0 are provided, handle 9 being pivotally mounted on-valve casing 2 and handle I0 on valve casing 9. as at Il, Fig. 3. The hanfdie 9 is apertured to receive the arm of a crank I2 attached to one oi' the valve plugs (not shown), and handle I Il is apertured to receivethe arm of a crank I3 attached to the other themanual operation of the device, arm 34 may be manually operated at any time to raise pawls Il, irrespective of the level of liquid in the container.

The drain pipe 3 is normally maintained in open position but may be closed by means oi' valve la provided with a valve stem 3 5. For the purpose oi' closing valve 8a rotary switch 36 is moved in counter-clockwise direction to contact terminal 3l and a circuit is established from line L1 through conductor 38, solenoid 39 and conductors 99 and 4I to line La, the energization of solenoid 39 raising the valve stem 35 and closing valve 8a. Y

While my improved apparatusmay be manually operated as :lust described, the-principal purpose of the invention is to provide automatic operation so that fluid having the desired physical properties may be delivered to conduit 4 or container ll, and this is accomplished in accordance .with my invention without making. substantial changes in the apparatus. For instance, to connect the apparatus for automatic operation, it is only necessary to withdraw pin 2 5 whereupon tube 24 drops down upon rod 28, and the cams 33 under the influence of weight I 8 serve to maintain pawls I8 out of engagement with ratchets I4.

For automatic operation the apparatus includes a movable operating device 50, a diaphragm motor 5I actuated by iiuid pressure, means for supplying iiuid under pressure to the diaphragm motor, including a source of constant 4opened controls the atasco My improved apparatus is associated with the valves of the supply pipes in such a manner that v upon downward movement of the operating de'- vice to a predetermined extent, one of the valves is fully opened without alectlng the normally closed position of the other valve. While as shown in the drawings the' valve which is 'iirst cold water pipe, the apparatus may be so arranged that the valve controlling the hot water -pipe may be nrst opened. Upon further movement of the operating device in the same direction, the other valve is gradually opened and the first valve is permitted to gradually close.

To eiIect this operation, the stem ci the cold Awater valve is provided with a crank I8 to which one end o! a link l! is connected, the other end oi' link. Il being connected to one arm Sil of a bellcrank ,lever pivoted to casing 3 at 6l, the other arm of the bellcrank being provided with a roll 8 2 which engages the bevelled or cam edge of `operating device .I9 as it is moved 'downwardly, thereby rotating the bellcrank in av counter-clockwise direction and imparting upward motion to the link I9 whichraises crank 58 and fully opens the cold water valve as shown in Fig.l 4 of the drawings.A

Upon further movement of the operatingv device in the same direction, as illustrated in Fig. 5, the opposite bevelled or cam edge $4 of the operating device engages a roll 65 carried by one end of a lever 61 pivoted at. lto casing I, the other end of the lever being connected to one endo'f a link 1I and the other end of link 10 being connected to a crank .1I which is attached to the valve stem of the hot water valve. During this -movement the hot water valve is gradually opened, roll 62, riding upon cam edge 12 of the operating device which is bevelled in the same direction and at the same angle as face 64, permitting the cold iiuid valve to partially` close.

Both valves are therefore maintained in parvtially open position.

Upon still further movementv of the operating device in the same direction to the position shown in Fig. 6, roll 85 fully opens the hot water valve and permits the cold water valve to completely close. It will be noted that' movement of operating device Bil from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 6, or from the position shown in Fig. 6 to the position shown in Fig. l. regulates the proportionate amount of hot and cold liquid which flows through pipes I and l, the combined ilow of liquid, however, being maintained constant.

Operating device 58 is normally maintained in inoperative position by any suitable means. As shown in the drawings the cam portion of operating device Il terminates in an upwardly extending arm 13 which passes. through a guide 14 and at its lower portion is provided with a downwardly extending arm 15 which passes througha guide 1I. At the junction 11 of the cam portion oi the operating device with the upwardly extending arm, the operating device is. connected to one end of a lever 18, pivoted at 18 3 to casing I, said lever being operated by a reciprocating rod Il whichpasses through abushing Isl in a bracket I! and is threaded at its upper end to the hub or a plate I3 which bearsagainst the diaphragm 84 of diaphragm motor il. Rod Il is lnormally maintained in elevated position and diaphragm ll is held in engagement with the diaphragmmotor casing by 'a spring 85, one end of which is iltted against a nut I8 threaded `on rod 80, and the other end of which surrounds ,bushing Il and bears against the lower portion of bracket 81. When pressure is exerted upon the upper side of diaphragm 84, however the diaphragm is forced in the opposite direction, which compresses spring 85 and moves operating device Sll downwardly;A l e According to my invention means are provided to exert sufiicient pressurefrom a constant source o! iluid pressure, upon diaphragm 84 of motor 5i to iirst move the operating device downwardly to a position to fully open the valvel controlling one source of iluid supply, the other valve remaining closed, and to supply additional fluid pressure from a variable source of iluid pressure to regulate the open extent of each valve, to thereby provide a mixture of the fluids in casing 3 and delivery pipe l having the desired physical properties. For this purpose conduit 90 connected to a suitable'source of fluid under pressure, communicates through a valve casingsi and a conduit 92 when valve 90a is open with a pressure reducing valve 93 which reduces the line pressure to a predetermined value, say iifteen pounds per square inch. The fluid at this predetermined pressure, ilows, from reducing valve 83 to a union 94, at which point a portion of the iluid ilows through circuit 52 and a portion flows through the circuit 53. The portion of the fluid flowing through circuit 52 is further reduced in pressure to a of a reducing Vvalve 95, and consequently when valve' 90a in valve casing Il opens communication between conduit $0 and pressure reducing valve 95, a constant pressure is provided through the circuit 52 to expand diaphragm 84 a sumcient amount to move the operating device to the posi- Y tion shown in Fig. 4 of' the drawings, in which Further downward movement oi the operating device is eiiectedV by means oi iluid pressure passing through circuit 53 having a conduit 91 which is connected to circuit 52 at junction 94, the other end of conduit I1 leading into a valve casing 98 provided with exhaust ports which are controlled by valve means including valve heads 8l and Hill connected to a movable valve stem Ill, said valve means being adapted upon upward vmovement to partially or fully open the exhaust ports of the casing. A conduit N2 leads from the opposite side o! the casing to a junction |03 with circuit. 52. The circuit 53 is so ar rangedthat when-the exhaust ports are fully open, iiuid under pressure in circuit 53 is dissipated and only the pressure of the iiuid from circuit l2 is'eiective upon the diaphragm B4.

' sure in conduit l1 is greater than the fluid pressure in conduit 92 at junction N3. The amount of iiuid which leaksv through conduit H2 from circuit l2 when valves 9! and N0 are fully open,

predetermined amount, say seven and one-half pounds per square inch, by means will ltherefore be negligible and will not materially ailect the pressure of duid from circuit 52 upon diaphragm 84.

When valve heads 99 and |00 move downwardly a limited extent. the exhaust ports in valve casing`98 are partially closed and uid at a higher pressure, say at approximately eleven pounds per square inch, from circuit 59 is effective upon the diaphragm 84. Operating devi'ce 50 istherefore moved downwardly a sufand is connected through conduit G to the Bourcient extent to partially open the hot .water valve andvto permit the cold water valve to partially close. When valve heads 99 and y |00 move downwardly a sunlcient extent to fully close the exhaust ports, further pressure is exerted upon diaphragm 84 from circuit 53 and operating device'50 is moved downwardly still further,

thereby fully opening the hot water Valve and permitting'the cold water valve to fully close.

While any lsuitable means may be provided for regulating the amount o1' pressure flowing through circuit 53, a control device 54 is shown for maintaining the` valve heads 99 and |00 in the desired position. VAs shown, the control device includes a frame |02a to one end of which an eccentric |03a is adjustably secured by any suitable means, such as a nut |04. A lever |05 provided with a fulcrum |00, is pivotally secured to the other end or frame |02a, the opposite end of the lever riding upon eccentric |0311. Fulcrum |06 supports a lever |01, one end of which is pivotallyconnected to Bourdon tube 51 and the free end of which is adapted under predetermined conditions to engage valve stem |0||.

When eccentric |09a is set in the cold water position as shown in Figs. land 4, fulcrum |09 is raised in a substantially vertical direction and the free end vof lever |01 engages the stem |0|,

fully opening the exhaust ports `of casing 99 and allowing fluid in the circuit 53 to dissipate to the atmosphere. phragm 8d is therefore all supplied from circuit 452 and actuating device 50 is moved to a position whichopens the cold water valve, the hot water valve remaining closed. In such a case cold water only is delivered to chamber 3,4 delivery conduit 4 and container 1. If water of a moderate temperature is desired, eccentric |0311 vis moved in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Figs, l and 4 to the desired extent, such as to the position shown in Fig. 5 which 'lowers fulcrum |09 from its position as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.- In this position valve heads 99 and |00 partially close the exhaust ports of casing 98 and sumcient pressure is supplied from circuit 53 to diaphragm 84 to move operating device 50 downwardly a suillcient extent to partially close the cold water valve and to maintain the hot water valve in partially open position. When hot water is desired, eccentric |03a is moved further in a clockwise direction, such as to the position shown in Fig. 6 which still further lowers the fulcrum |06 from its position as shown in Fig. 6 and permitslvalve heads"`99 and |00 to fully close. All the pressure of the fluid in circuit 591s therefore exerted against diaphragm -04 and operating def vice 50 is moved to'the position shown in Fig. 6 in which the hot 'water valveis fully opened and the cold water valve is permitted` to completely close.

Means are also provided to maintain the liquid delivered through pipe 4 at the desired tem- Pressure exerted upon diadon tube 5l, although if desired bulb 55 may be located in casing t or container 1. The bulb 55, conduit 50 and Bourdon tube 51 are a vapor system containing a suitable gas. Now, assuming for instance that the operating device is in the position shown in Fig. 4, and that the water iscolder than that desired and for which Bourdon tube 51 is set, in such case, the Bourdon tube contracts, moving lever ||l1 in a clockwise direc'- tion about fulcrum |09, and allows valve heads 99 and |00 to partially close the exhaust ports of casing 98. Additional .pressure is therefore exerted upon the diaphragm 84 which moves operating device 50 downwardly to partially open the hot water valve and partially close the`cold water valve. On the other hand,lassuming that the control device 54 is set in the position shown in Fig. 5 and the pressure in the cold water pipe varies, providing water in conduit 4 from the hot and cold water supply pipes which is hotter than to rst fully open the valve controlling the hot water pipe,

the position of operating device 50 may be changed so that the bevelled portion 63 engages roll 85' to first fully open the hot water valve,

or the supply line connections may be reversed' so that cold water hows through pipe 5 Aand hot water flows through pipe To regulate valves I99 and |00 to compensate for variations in the temperature or pressure of the sources of supply in such a case,l it is necessary to invert Bourdon tube 51 so that expansion of the tube rotates lever l01 in a clockwise direction about fulcrum |06 to permit valve heads 99 and |00 to close, thereby increasing the pressure on diaphragm 84 'which increases the open extent of the valve controlling the cold water supply and decreases the open extent of the hot water valve, and contraction of the tube operates lever |01 in a counterclockwise direction to open valve heads 99 and |00, thereby decreasing the pressure on diaphragm 94 which increases the open extent of the valve controlling the hot water supply and decreases the open extent of the valve controlling the cold water supply.

When the apparatus is employed for controlling and regulating the delivery of a brine so'- lution from a water and a saturated salt solution sources of supply, variations in the pressure of the water supply or variations in the pressure or strength of the salt solution may be regulated in a similar manner, the valve heads 99 and |00 being controlled in such a case by variations in regulate the delivery or oilv having s desired viswhich is o! the minimum viscosity, in which case a viscosimeter may be employed to operate valve heads 39 and NB to provide a liquid having the desired viscosity. The apparatus may also be employed for controlling and regulating the mixture oi two iiuids supplied from different sources which have different speciiic gravitiesor difierent relative densities, in which case variations in the specic gravity or relative density of the mixture delivered through conduit 4 can be employed to operate valve heads 33 and |33 to compensate for variations in the speci'c gravity or relative density oi iiuid supplied from the two different sources.

During the operation oi the device the valve 93a may be held open by any convenient means. As shown in the drawings, when switch 33 vis rotated to make contact 'with terminal .|33 a current is established from line Lx through conductor |33, mercury switch III, conductor solenoid ||2 and conductor ||3 to line La, thus energizing solenoid |12. At this time the opposite end of switch 33 engages terminal -|331: which closes valve 3a. When solenoid ||2 is energized, its armature ||4 which is attached to one arm of a bellcrank lever ||3 pivotally mounted on a bracket ||3 on the valve casing, is forced downwardly, opening valve 90a to provide comd munication between conduit 30 and conduit 32.

Means are also provided during the automatic Y operation oi the device to shut oil the supply of liquid to container 1 when the surface of liquid in the container reaches a predetermined level. For this purpose the rack 23 on rod 2B meshes with a gear I1 operatively connected to rotate a contactor ||3 on a dial ||3 provided with a plurality of terminals |23A which are electrically connected by means o! conductors |2| with terminals |22 on adial |23 provided with-a contactor |24 which is adapted to be manually set in engagement withone oi the terminals |22 in accordance with the amount oi liquid desired incontainer 1.

When the surface oi the liquid in container 1 rises to the desired level as determined by the setting of contacter |24, a circuit is established,

- from lineLi through conductors |33 and |23a,

contacter |24, terminal |22, conductor |2I, con- .tactor ||3 and conductor |23 to solenoid |23 their manual operation because when handle 3 is moved upwardly cranks I2 and 33 are moved in a counterclockwise direction and crank 33 acting through link 33 and its associated bellcrank lever moves roll 32 away from operating device 50, and in a like manner when arm I3 is raised crank 1| acting upon link 13 operates 'lever 61 to move roll 33 away from operating device 33. Either or both of the valves may,

therefore, be manually operated when the deviceis set for automatic operation.

A modined form of my improved apparatus is shown in Figs. 'l and' 8 which may be operated by tiuid pressure in the same manner as the apparatus shown inlFlgs. 1 to 6 inclusive. As illustrated, the operating device comprises a bar |33` havingan outwardly extending rack |35 at one side and an arm |31 pivoted thereto at |33. the arm |31 being -provided at one end with a rack |33 extending outwardly beyond the bar at the side opposite to rack |33 and at the other end with a lug |43. The upper portion of arm |31 is normally held in outward position by any suitable means, such 'as a spring |4|`, to maintain rack |33 in a position beyond bar |33 and the lug |40 at the other end normally engages the face |42 of a block |43 having an extending tipv |44. As shown in the drawings, the stem of the valve mounted in casing 2 controlling the :dow of cold fluid, is provided with a segmental'gear |43 which meshes with a segmental gear |46 supported upon valve casing 2. The sternV of the valve mounted in casing 3 controlling the flow of hot iiuid, is also provided with asegmental gear |41 which meshes with a segmentalgear |43.

In this modiiication, when the operating device is moved downwardly, rack |33 on arm` 31 nrst engages segmental gear |43 which fully opens the valve controlling the flow of cold iiuid `gear |43 as it leaves segmental gear |43. Upon further downward movement, rack |33 meshes and from thence through conductors |21 and 4| to line La. The armature oi solenoid |23 is secured to the arm |23 of a pivotally mounted bracket which issecured to mercury switch ||3 and when solenoid |23 is energized, mercury switch ||3 isrotated in a counterclockwise direction, thus breaking the circuit to solenoid ||2,

' whereupon spring |23 forces valve 33a closed and iiuid from diaphragm motor 3| escapes through conduit |33 valve |33a. and from controlled by a one-way thence to conduit 32 and exhaust port |3| tothe atmosphere. when itis desired toV drain liquid from the container, switch 33 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction to the position shown in valve 3a to open. A's the liquid drainsirom the container, iioat 21 falls and-lug 23 ilnally ensages Ya tongue on the bracket Supporting the mercuryswitch and rotates it in a clockwise direction to reset the apparatus for further opera- `tion. It will be particularly noted that the automatic operation of the valves in casings! and 3 in the apparatus disclosed in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, does not interfere in any manner with Fig. Y1, thereby permitting with segmental gear |43 which rotates segmental gear |41 to partially open the valve controlling' the iiow of hot fluid, and segmental gear |43 rotates segmental gear |43 in a clockwise direction to partially close the valve controlling the now oi cold-iiuid. Asthe operating device is moved iarther downward, Vthe valve controlling the iiow oi cold fluid is gradually closed and the valve controlling the iiow oi hot i'iuid is gradually opened until the hot nuid valve is fully opened and the vcold iiuid valve is fully closed. This position is' 8 of the drawings. .Operating de- 'vice |33 is moved to and maintained in normally shown in Fig.

inoperative position andV actuated in the same s manner as operating device 33 shown in Figs. 1

to inclusive, of the drawings.

A further modiiication oi my invention 'is shown in Fig. 9, in which meansare provided to maintain the liquid in container 1 at the desired temperature. The apparatus disclosed in Fig. 9 is particularly adapted for controlling and rgnloting theisupply oi liquid to washing orcleaning machines and maintaining the liquid delivered to the machine at the desired temperature although it` maybe utilized for other purposes, such as supplying liquid to storage tanks from 'which liquid is beingrintermittently withdrawn and in which it is desired to maintain vthe liquid at a desired constant temperature.` In this modiilca- V tion when switch 33 is rotated clockwise to consolenoid |52 and conductors |66 and |66 to line L2, the energization i solenoid |52 serving to open circuits 52 and 53 to a source of fluid under pressure and the opposite end of switch 66 engages terminal |06a which closes valve 6a. A circuit is also established through conductor |06, mercury switch |l0, conductors |I| and |56, coil |56 and conductors |61 and 4| to line La, which energizes coil E56 and raises a switch |68; and in parallel with coil |56 is a circuit which includes conductor |59, solenoid |60 and conductorI |6i, the armature of said solenoid being connected to one end of a pivotally mounted levez- |62, the other end of the lever being connected to a valve stem |63 operating in valve casing |64 and provided with valve heads |65 and |66. When solenoid |60 is energized, valve |65 is closed and valve |66 is opened to provide communication of iluid under pressure from circuit 52 or from circuits 52 and 53 to diaphragm motor 6| which auto- `inatically operates the valves in valve casings 2 and 6 to supply liquid to container 1 at the desired temperature in accordance with the4 setting of control device 54 as previously described.

When the surface of\ the liquid in container 1 reaches the desired level, solenoid |26 is energized as described in connection with the apparatus' shown in Fig. 1, which rotates mercury switch ||0 and breaks the circuitto solenoid |60 andcoil |56, whereupon spring |61 closes valve |66 and opens valve |66 and switch |56 closes by gravity. The opening of valve |66 permits fluid from motor 5| to exhaust through port |65a and the supply of liquid to tank 1 is shut oi. When switch |66 closes, a circuit is established from line L1, through conductors |50 and |66, solenoid |69, conductor |10, switch |68 and conductors |1|, |64 and 4| to line Lr. The energization of solenoid |66 raises 'armature '|12 which is attached to the crank |13 oi!v a rotary valve |14 operating in a casing |16: The rotation oi' valve |14 connects port |16 in the rotary valve with conduit |02 and a conduit |16 leading to a diaphragm motor |60 which controls the operation of a valve |6| for regulating the supply of a heating medium to container 1. As shown, valve |6| is normally maintained in closed position by means oi a spring |62, one end of which seats upon the base of the casing and the other end of which bears against diaphragm |64 to which one end oi' a rod |06 is secured. The other end of rod |66 is attached to one end oi' alever |86 pivotally mounted on a bracket attached to the casing, the other end of the lever being attached to the stem of valve |6|. It will be noted that the bulb 55 in this modiiication is located in container 1.

increase above the 4predetermined temperature would cause the Bourdon tube to expand and operate lever |61 to further open valves 96 and |00, and permit a larger portion of fluid from conduit 91 to bleed to the atmosphere. The pressure of the duid in conduits |02 and |19 on diaphragm |64 would therefore be decreased, allowing valve |8| to be closed by the action of a spring |62. p .Y

As illustrated inthe drawings, steam under the control of the valvev |6| is utilized as the heating medium which may be passed directly into the washer as shown, or if desired may be passed through a suitable coil. When the steam is passed through the coil, the coil should bearranged in container 1 in such a position that the gas in bulb 65 will not beaiected directly by .heat radiated from the coil.

Now, if -the temperature of the liquid in the container drops as the result of radiation or other losses, the Bourdon tube 61 contracts, moving the lever |01 in a clockwise direction about fulcrum |06, allowing valves 96 and |00 to partially close and permitting. fluid under pressure to iiow through conduit |02, valve casing |15 and conduit |19 to diaphragm motor |80, thereby opening valve |6| and permitting ilow of the heating medium.v The liquid in the container 1 is therefore4 maintained at the predetermined temperature at which it was delivered to the container as long as any liquid is contained therein.

After the standard hookup has been established, it will be apparent that by rotating cam Illia in a counterclockwise direction to the desired extent, the liquid in container 1 may be permitted to cool to any desired temperature before the heating medium is' supplied, after which it is maintained at that temperature, and that by rotating the cam in a clockwise direction suiiicient heating medium may be supplied to heat the liquid tol and maintain it at a higher temperature than that at which it was delivered.

-The temperature of the liquid in container 1 may therefore be maintained atthe temperature at which it was delivered or at any desired temperature.

To drain the liquid from the container, switch 36 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction to the position shown in Fig. 9, and as float 21 descends lug 28 on rack 26 engages a tongue on the f bracket supporting mercury switch ||0, rotating Thecontrol apparatus now operates on a stand-l ard hookup. Liquid has been delivered to the container at a predetermined temperature :and while the liquid remains at that temperature, the control device 64 through the setting of the eccentric |06a and the eiiect of the temperature of the liquid in container on the gas in bulb 66 and in Bourdon tube 51 maintains lever |01 and the valves 96 and |00 in a position to allow a suiii'cient portion of the fluid from conduit 91 to bleed Lto the atmosphere so that the pressure i of the heating medium to ilow through pipe |I61.

the tendency oi' the temperature o! the liquid to the switch in a clockwise direction, and a circuit is again established to coil |66, which raises switch luftnus breaking the circuit to sienoid |60 which permits spring |12 to rotate valve |14 to the position shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, and the fluid from motor |60 to exhaust through port |66 to the atmosphere. Additional liquid may then be supplied to container 1 at the desired temperature.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus of the class described comprising first and second sources of iluid supply, separately operable valve means respectively associated with each source and normally maintainedinaposition to shut oil.' both sources,amovableoperating device associated with said valve means, mechanism operated by iluid pressure for moving said operating device, two sources of fluid under pressure communicating with mechanism, one of the sources of duid being under suiiicient constant pressure to provide a pressure upon said mechanism and to move said valve means to fully open one ot said sources of fluid supply, the pressure ot the other iluid source being variattraccoA set in diilerent positionavwhereby the pressure exerted upon said mechanismy may be varied within limits above the predetermined minimum and said operating mechanism actuated to close the drst source of duid supply any desired extent 2. Apparatus of the class described comprising first and second sources of liquid supply, separately operable valve means associated with each source, a casing having a chamber communicatl5 means, said connections being so constructed and ing with both of said sources when the valve means is in a predetermined position, an operating device associated with said valve means, said operating device being adapted upon movement in one direction said chamber and upon further movement in the same direction to permit the first source to gradually close and to gradually open the second,

source to said chamber, and upon reversezmovesource and permit the ment to open the drst second source to close, mechanism actuatedby duid pressure connected to said operating device and a source oi duid pressure communicatingwith said mechanism and having a sudlcient minimum pressure to actuate the control de- -3 vice to open the drst source of liquid 'supply to said chamber, and means responsive to the temperature oi the liquid in said chamber fc varying the iluid pressure within predetermined limits above said minimum pressure, thereby regulating the volume of liquid passing into'said chamber from each source of duid supply.

3. Apparatus of the class described comprising a conduitmeans, a valve o! the self-closing 40 type controlling said conduit means. a gear connected to the stem oi said valve, a second gearin mesh with 4the valve stem gear, a movable operating device having a rack associated therewith,rmeans for forcing said rack into meshing engagement with the valve stemv gear as the operating device is moved a predetermined extent Iin one direction to thereby open said valve, and mans whereby said rack is forced into meshing with its travel out of meshing engagement withthe valve stem gear upon further movement of the operating device in the same direction. thereby permitting a gradual opening ofthe valve during the iirst movement o! the operating device and a gradual closing oi' said valve during 55 `faces. there being cam following connections to a5 said valve means, said connections being so constructed .and arranged that upon movement oi said device in one direction to a predetermined extent said connections fully open one of said sources oi supply without affecting the closed po- '10 sition of the other source and upon its continued movement in the same direction said connections permit the first source, to gradually close and `gradually open the second source, where y proportionate amounts ci duid and a control device ior the and to openthe second source of duid supply any 1o desired extent.

to fully open the rst source to 20 properties may dow from the sources of supply to said chamber, a mechanism operated by duid ing the amount of duid pressure upon said mech- 5. Apparatus ofthe class described comprising drst and second sources o! duid supply, valve means associated therewith which is normally maintained in a position to shut oil both sources, a. casing having a chamber communicating Vwith both sources, a movable device provided with operating connections including cam faces on said device and cam followers linked to said valve 'and upon its continued movement in the same direction permit the ilrst source to gradually close and graduallyv open the second source, duid actuated mechanism for moving said operating device, a source o! duid under constant pressure for actuating said mechanism a sufilcient extent to fully open the first source of duid supply, a second source of duid under pressure communicatingwith said mechanism.' a control device for varying the pressure from the second source, and means responsive to Athe physical properties of the mixture of iluids in said. chamber for effecting further variation in the duid pressure exerted upon said mechanism.

6. Apparatus of the class described comprising first and second sources of duid supplyeach having a control valve which is normally maintained in closed position, a reciprocating device, an operative connection from one side oi said device to one of said valves, and a second operative connection from the other side of said device to the other valve, the ilrst'of said operative connections being disposed, upon movement of said control device, to fully open the valve controlling the rst source without adecting the second connection, and upon continued movement of said reciprocating device in the same direction, to cause gradual movement of the nrst connection and its Vengagement with the second gear simultaneously o associated valve simultaneously actuating the second connection to gradually open the valve controlling the second source.

7. Apparatus oi the class described comprising drst and second sources of fluid supply, each having a valve which is normally maintained in closed position, a reciprocating device having a cam on one edge which terminates in an inclined face, the other edge oisaid device having a substantially straight face which terminates in an no inclined cam face which is substantially parallel with the inclined face of said rst mentioned cam, movable connections to each of said valves, the connections to the valve controlling the drst source being actuated by said drst mentioned cam. and the connections to the valve controlling the second source being actuated by said second Y mentioned cam, said nrst mentioned cam being b ving did'erent 75' edective upon movement oi the device in one direction to actuate the connections to fully open the valve controlling the drst source, and there after upon continued. movement to close said A valve, and said second mentioned cam upon iur ther movement of said device in the same direction being to open the valve controlling to shut of! thedrst source, while ,.thersecond source simultaneously with the-clos fing of the valve in said first. mentioned source.

- 8: Apparatus ot the class described comprising first and second sources of uid supply. valve means associated therewith 'whichis normally maintained in position to close both sources. a

movable operating device provided with cam faces 'associated with cam followers linked to said valveV sition ofthe second source,- and upon continued movement of the device in the same direction,

said linkage permits the rst source to close and causes the second source to open, and means for moving saidl operating device including a constant vsource of fiud pressure for moving said device to a. position in which said linkage opensthe rst source, and a variable source of uidpressure for moving the actuating device beyond the iirst position, and means for controlling the variable source of fluid pressure to maintain both sources of supply in a partially open position.

RUSSELL A. HETZER. 

